A Level Physics 9702, topic 16.2
The first law of thermodynamics: past paper questions
16 Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 questions on The first law of thermodynamics (16.2) from 16 papers, 2023 to 2026. Open the paper or try a question free.
Practising builds a set from this topic, free with an account. One question opens straight away, with no account.
- Questions
- 16
- Papers
- 16
- Years
- 2023 to 2026
- Total marks
- 165
- Average per question
- 10.3 marks
- Largest question
- 14 marks
By type: Structured 16
What the syllabus asks
- recall and use W = p∆V for the work done when the volume of a gas changes at constant pressure and understand the difference between the work done by the gas and the work done on the gas
- recall and use the first law of thermodynamics ∆U = q + W expressed in terms of the increase in internal energy, the heating of the system (energy transferred to the system by heating) and the work done on the system
How hard the questions are
- Recall0
- Apply2
- Analyse14
- Not banded0
Derived from the command word Cambridge prints in each question, banded by a fixed table beside the syllabus's own definitions. A question printing no command word is unbanded: unknown, not middling.
Command words
- explainAnalyse13 questions
set out purposes or reasons/make the relationships between things evident/provide why and/or how and support with relevant evidence
- stateRecall10 questions
express in clear terms
- determineApply8 questions
establish an answer using the information available
- show thatApply7 questions
- completeApply5 questions
- defineRecall5 questions
give precise meaning
- calculateApply4 questions
work out from given facts, figures or information
- useApply4 questions
- sketchApply2 questions
make a simple freehand drawing showing the key features
- suggestAnalyse2 questions
apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses in order to make proposals
Where the questions come from
By year
- 20263
- 20256
- 20241
- 20236
By session
- May/June9
- Oct/Nov7
By paper
- Paper 416
Questions on this topic
Showing 6 of 16, spread across the years. Open one to write your answer and have it marked.
- Try this questionQuestion 3May/June 2026, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram
State what is meant by the internal energy of a system.
- Try this questionQuestion 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured8 marks
State two ways in which the first law of thermodynamics describes that the internal energy of a system may be changed.
- Try this questionQuestion 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured11 marks
Define specific latent heat.
- Try this questionQuestion 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 41Structured12 marks
Define specific heat capacity.
- Try this questionQuestion 4May/June 2023, paper 41Structured12 marksHas a diagram
State two of the basic assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases.
- Try this questionQuestion 3May/June 2023, paper 42Structured9 marksHas a diagram
State the first law of thermodynamics.